Tuberculosis Explained
By John Reed on Apr 20, 2009 with Comments 0
Tuberculosis or TB is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Myobacterium tuberculosis. It is a chronic infection in which the lungs are affected but can also involve other body organs. It is the leading factor of death in the underdeveloped countries. Alcoholics and HIV patients are at a higher risk of contracting this disease but it does not necessarily mean that others are exempted from its threat. Airborne droplets are the mode of transmission of TB. TB patients can spread this disease by coughing and sneezing in front of people without covering their mouth.
There are many factors involved which determine the reasons for TB contraction. Some of which are
- Excessive smoking or alcohol intake
- Depression and stress
- Malnourishment and unhealthy living standard
- Weak immune system
- Living in overcrowded rooms
- Coming into contact with the TB infected person’s cough, sneeze or spit
- Being diabetic
- Insomnia
- Migrating from a country where TB is very common
Often people become infected with TB without realizing it as their immune system is successful in combating it. This can cause the bacteria to dwell in the lungs. This is called the latent TB and this is the state when usually there are either no symptoms or only minor ones such as feeling a little feverish or coughing frequently. But this latent TB can become active later on and cause TB symptoms some of which may include:
- Relentless coughing which can be accompanied by phlegm and sometimes blood
- Exhaustion
- Loss of appetite which results in weight loss
- Struggle required breathing
- Chest discomfort and ache during breathing due to the inflamed lining membranes of the lungs
- Sweating profusely at nights
- Body pain
- Temperature rises usually in the evenings
- Puffy glands especially that of the neck
- Fever and agitation
Many times the symptoms are ignored and dismissed as being normal which can cause the spread of the disease to other parts of the body. Early diagnoses can aid in treating the disease successfully. There are two main tests to establish the bacteria’s presence. A tuberculin skin test is conducted to allow the doctor to assess the immune system response to the TB bacteria. Chest x-rays or phlegm sample are also analyzed to diagnose the disease and identify the best possible form of treatment.
Treatments of TB include the doctor prescribing strong antibiotics for a six month period to effectively kill the bacteria and prevent the surfacing of drug resistant bacteria. If the medication is proving to be a failure then surgery is also an option. TB patients can recover swiftly if they follow the drug therapy regularly and completing the full course of medication. Vaccination is recommended in the childhood to acquire immunization from this disease.
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